ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst volleyball team, ranked ninth in the latest AVCA Division III poll, closed out its own tournament with a 25-15, 25-22, 17-25, 25-19 win over sixth-ranked Juniata College.

Elmhurst improved to 24-4 on the season while Juniata slipped to 18-5 overall. 

Leading 11-10 in the opening set, Elmhurst used a 7-0 run behind the serve of Peggy Clemens to extend their lead to 18-10. Leading 23-15, an ace from Kerry Swain and a kill from Alli Rogers put the first set away for the Bluejays.

The Bluejays fell behind early in the second, trailing 7-2 after the first nine points. Elmhurst responded with 9-4 run to pull even at 11-11. The Bluejays pulled in fron at 20-19 on a kill from Shannon Burns. Leading 24-22, Burns pounded down a kill to stake the Bluejays to a two set advantage.

Juniata dominated the third set from the start, scoring the first six points and never looking back. Elmhurst came no closer than four points as Juniata cruised to the 25-17 win.

The third set started back-and-forth before Elmhurst broke open a 13-13 tie with a 3-1 run. Juniata closed to within a point at 18-17, but the Bluejays responded with a 5-0 run to take a 23-17 lead. A kill from Meliss Nava sealed the victory for the Bluejays.

Elmhurst hit .238 for the match with 54 kills and 19 errors in 147 attempts. Juniata finished the match hitting .156 with 45 kills and 22 errors in 147 swings.

Sam Szarmach powered Elmhurst's attack with a double-double, totaling 15 kills and 16 digs. Jackie Pavilonis and Burns finished with nine kills apiece for the Bluejays. Nava added eight kills and three blocks. Hannah Nimrick totaled 40 assists, 15 digs, seven kills and three blocks in the victory. Rogers added six kills while Clemens led the squad in digs with 19. 

Amelia Kepler led Juniata with 10 kills while Nakita Gearhart totaled nine. Chelsea Scafuro and Megan Moroney finished with eight kills apiece for the Eagles. Kelly Reynolds finished with 35 assists for Juniata.

Elmhurst travels to North Park University on Tuesday, October 14.